A Thought for the Day...or the Week.....
Possibly even the coming year. Yes, it was that profound; at least it was to me. Today as I was reading I came across a quote from John Maxwell. Read it a few times, and take a few moments to ponder its implications.
Are we more interested in doing something great for God or God doing something great in us?
Are we running ahead with our plan or resting in His purposes? My personal calling statement begins like this: "As I abide and walk with Jesus day by day..." The thesis is that allowing God to work in me produces Kingdom work. As God fills me with Himself, the overflow "sloshes" out on others as "ministry". What a great concept! No wonder this has been God's plan all along - not just for me but for us all.
If you are like me, you can list the things you are currently involved in that relate to Kingdom work (writing, teaching, conference-leading, witnessing, discipling, Sunday School, revivals, counseling, mentoring, .................!!). But let's take a moment to list what God is doing in us. Maybe it will help if you print this article and use the blank space below to put into writing what God is doing in you. What is He teaching you? What is He working to change in you? How is He doing it? How are you different from one year ago? How does that glority God?
So, what kind of list did you make? Was it as long as the list of current pursuits for the Kingdom? Hmmmm.......... Me either. So, how do we (I) maintain all the Kingdom obligations we have undertaken with Holy Spirit-empowered ministry, when God seems to be doing so little in us personally? Is there any overflow of His working to share with those to whom we minister? That is a good question, and one that demands serious contemplation.
What can we (I) do to allow God's activity in my life? How can I submit to His working in me in a more eager and confident way? How can I practice the abiding that Jesus taught in John 15? I plan to undertake a serious review of this chapter over the Thanksgiving holidays and seek to allow God to perform greater work in me. I hope that you will as well.
If you are like me, you can list the things you are currently involved in that relate to Kingdom work (writing, teaching, conference-leading, witnessing, discipling, Sunday School, revivals, counseling, mentoring, .................!!). But let's take a moment to list what God is doing in us. Maybe it will help if you print this article and use the blank space below to put into writing what God is doing in you. What is He teaching you? What is He working to change in you? How is He doing it? How are you different from one year ago? How does that glority God?
So, what kind of list did you make? Was it as long as the list of current pursuits for the Kingdom? Hmmmm.......... Me either. So, how do we (I) maintain all the Kingdom obligations we have undertaken with Holy Spirit-empowered ministry, when God seems to be doing so little in us personally? Is there any overflow of His working to share with those to whom we minister? That is a good question, and one that demands serious contemplation.
What can we (I) do to allow God's activity in my life? How can I submit to His working in me in a more eager and confident way? How can I practice the abiding that Jesus taught in John 15? I plan to undertake a serious review of this chapter over the Thanksgiving holidays and seek to allow God to perform greater work in me. I hope that you will as well.
